Watching their children at a sporting event can be a stressful event for parents. The emotional bond between parent and child, together with the stress of the competition, may explain some of the inappropriate behaviors some parents engage in while watching the competition, such as arguing with the coach, other staff, or the parents of other children. Popular media occasionally reveals such incidents and inappropriate attitudes of parents while watching their children during sports activities. For example, kicking an official during the match, swearing, starting a fight, attacking the coach, etc. On the other hand, some studies have examined how young people prefer their parents to behave while watching them.
Parents can be a source of stress for young athletes, causing the athlete to burn out and quit the sport. In their study with children aged 7-14, Omli and Wiese-Bjornstal (2011) investigated how parents behave in sports competitions and how children want them to behave. What children expect from their supportive parents is to be an attentive and quiet observer, to be cheerful, encouraging, rewarding and empathetic. Children need parents to follow the competition carefully, watch it silently and control their emotions, enjoy watching the competition, applaud, support the success of not only their own children but the entire team, continue their support even if they lose, say rewarding and praising words for their good performance, and encourage athletes who are not successful enough. He prefers them to keep the joy of winning under control by thinking.
Parents who act like a demanding coach constantly give orders, advice, and criticize. For example, in the competition, they intervene like a coach with instructions such as throw the ball, run here, hit this way. Athletes are negatively affected by criticism during the match, and parents should pay attention to this. Ultimately, kids don't want their parents to act like a coach on the sidelines. Parents who act like crazy fans argue with coaches or other administrators over small things, yell and blame. is also found and spoils the game. As can be seen, parents can be an important source of support during the competition, but they can also be a significant source of stress. Children's expectations from their parents are to participate in the competition, watch carefully and silently, and show their joy at appropriate moments
Read: 0
